RJ Craig
The Lady Ice Dawgs finished last out of six teams in the CHS playoffs this weekend. They lost to the University of South Florida on Friday afternoon and to Auburn on Saturday morning in the consolation game.
GAME 1, Friday
The Dawgs, who earned the final playoff spot, were big underdogs heading into their game against the USF Ice Bulls, but they looked to pull the upset.
The Ice Bulls, however, struck first in the second period, on a goal from Anne Bachand, assisted by Annabella Buontempo and Anna Hogue. Another goal a couple of minutes later by Amber Lopez and then another with a few minutes remaining in the period by Alexis Plaza provided the Ice Bulls with a comfortable 3-0 lead after two periods.
In the third, the Dawgs sought to make a comeback, but their inability to score goals combined with an Ice Bulls goal put the game out of reach.
GAME 2, Saturday
Following their defeat to the Ice Bulls on Friday afternoon, the Dawgs were matched up against the Auburn Tigers for a rematch dating back to October 4 of the last calendar year when they narrowly lost 4-3.
In the first, Auburn grabbed an early 1-0 lead following a goal by Gabriella Donato. However, the Dawgs barked back with an unassisted goal from sophomore Paige Oukes to tie the game.
In the second, Oukes fired a wrist shot at the Auburn goalie that was initially saved, but the puck rebounded off the goalie and Oukes stayed with the play and shoveled the puck into the net to put the Dawgs ahead 2-1.
Auburn fired back with two straight goals from Rachel Guarino to reclaim the lead later in the same period. Georgia immediately responded with a highlight reel goal from sophomore Dana Stott to tie it back up.
After two periods, the game was all knotted up with three goals apiece.
The third period, however, was all Auburn.
A goal by Abby Lin put the Tigers back in front 4-3, and with only 2:20 remaining Guarino scored her third goal to essentially put the game out of reach.
Despite outshooting the Tigers by seven more shots, the Dawgs fell 6-3 in a hard-fought battle to the finish.
But it was not all bad news for the Dawgs as two of their players were nominated to the All-Conference teams. Paige Oukes was nominated on the first team and Georgia Verheyden on the third team.
The Dawgs finished the season 7-9 following their final games at the CHS Playoffs. The Dawgs will retool over the offseason and come back stronger for the 2025-26 season.